Paralyzed Irishman Embarks on 3,000-Mile Walk Across the United States

In October 2018, Fergus Farrell suffered a catastrophic spinal injury while lifting a bench, prompting doctors to give him only a 5% chance of regaining any leg function. Defying that prognosis, he gradually recovered, eventually walking across Ireland, rowing seven marathons, and tackling four ultramarathons. He also spent a week in a psychiatric ward that helped him refocus his life.

Now, beginning on August 22, he will walk from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Santa Monica Pier, covering about 3,000 miles in 75 days and averaging 80,000 steps per day. The journey, supported by a crew of volunteers, aims to highlight the challenges faced by people with spinal-cord injuries and to inspire his three children. Farrell expects to stay in hotels when possible and camp in a van in more isolated areas, planning to replace his shoes multiple times along the way.